Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-cast for June 30 – July 13, 2024

Gordon Cheung
Gardens of Perfect Brightness, Gordon Cheung

Happy birth month Cancerians.

The artist this week Gordon Cheung @gordoncheung.  (Please go to his sites  for the close up to these.)  Cheung is a contemporary multi-media artist that uses 3-D printing methods, AI generated flowers, financial newspapers, acrylic paint and sand to create 3-d features that intersect the real and the surreal.   His landscapes and still life paintings reflect on how global capitalism and colonialism affects us in history through modern times.

For example, his landscapes series uses Yuanmingyuan imperial scroll stolen by France during the looting and burning of the Summer Palace in Beijing during the Opium Wars.  That war was started to force China to trade opium that then lead to the colonization and annexing of Hong Kong.  And we can see how that has had consequences for the people in modern day Hong Kong. Or his still life flowers series he explains: “In part they are about the rise and fall of civilizations, as well as the romantic language of still-life painting:  futile materialism and fragile mortality reflected by the transient beauty of flowers.”

Your pondering: Colonialism, the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically, has had a long and sorted history in almost every part of the world.  Often, we believe that this practice doesn’t exist in modern times.  Though the situation in the Middle East we can see its repercussions in real time.  But also, this mindset still infiltrates our hivemind expressed in examples in politics, corporate takeovers, Apple’s “ecosystem”, and even in our justification of global expansion. How does colonization or its mindset impact your life?

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Taurus – time to ground yourself.  Then on Wednesday it moves into Gemini – exchanges of information is highlighted.  Friday the moon moves into Cancer- self-care is your top priority for the weekend.  On Sunday the 7th it moves into Leo – focus on aspects that help you and others shine.  Then on Wednesday July 10th the moon moves into Virgo – great for organizing and clearing off your desk or checking off to-do lists.  And then it moves into Libra on Friday the 12th – spend time with friends and family this weekend.

Mercury moves into Leo on Monday – great for storytelling but the challenge is balancing talking with listening. Also, Venus is in Cancer until July 11th – wanting us to center in on making a home homier. Then moves into Leo switches our focus to from our homes to being generous in our relationships.  Mars is still in Taurus giving us the stamina to finish projects or bring something from the back-burner forward.

Jupiter, the planet of abundance and growth, is in Gemini until June of 2025.   This aspect is here to help us work with opportunities to grow and succeed through intellectual, verbal, and written pursuits.  However, we must also watch its challenging aspects:   not following through, gossip, too much information and fickleness.   And lastly Saturn is in Pisces until February 2026 teaching us how to be more fluid and inclusive in our structures.

EXTRA

*** Signs with an * it is a big week for you.  Cancer this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year.  And Capricorn it is your halfway mark for your birth year, so if you need a Planetary Reading for a check in, now is the time. And I have a tip jar if you want to leave a gratuity for the tarot & art-casts.

**** I am experimenting.   I have switched from using the older suits name (pentacles, cups, swords, and wands) to a more elemental way of reading them which is earth, water, air, and fire.  Also, I would like to leave the binary and feudal system of the RWS’s court cards.  So, the RWS old version is Page, Knight, Queen, and King is changing to Heart (pure embodiment of element), Body (moving the element), Spirit (living the element) and Mind (taking care of the element).

May light be on you, around you, and within you.

Nina

 

Aries
Gordon Cheung
Engraved Moon and Unfolding Clouds, Gordon Cheung

Queen of Earth – The last two weeks the muses had asked you to build.  Challenging you with questions of durability, realism and altruism.  Now the Muse of Luxury would like to ask you why do you build?  What is your motivation for working?  And are you able to enjoy the benefits of that work?  She challenges if you are not getting anything out of a focus why are you doing it?  And if you are getting what you need, spend time these next two weeks enjoying the harvests of your work.

Taurus
Talkers, Gordon Cheung

*Lovers – The Muse of Connection is hanging with you all this week.  She challenges you to take a deep dive into your relationships.  Are you connecting with the ones you love on a more intimate level?  Or open enough to invite new people into your circle?  This focus can take form in hanging out and just being with your chosen ones, checking in with someone you haven’t had an intimate convo within a while, or create stronger bonds with someone you want to get to know better.  One of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of humaning is connection.  This period is a great time to flex your social muscle.

Gemini
Gordon Cheung
Heavenly Lake, Gordon Cheung

Two of Water – The Muse of Relationships would like you to work feeling balanced and harmonious in your close relationships.  She especially would like you to work with the concept of reciprocity.  Defined as “the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit”.  This rebalancing not only creates connection but fills both yours and others emotional cups.  Find time these next two weeks to clink glasses with the ones you love, that love you back.

Cancerian
Gordon Cheung
Augury, Gordon Cheung

Spirit of Fire – The Muse of Enchantment would like you all to take these two weeks to call in some magic into your coming year.  Aspects like ways to help you be more curious, creative, more aligned with your intuition, or more in tune with your environment.  She recommends you do this asking along with a ritual.  It can be as simple as preparing your wishes days before you blow out your birthday candles or as complex as creating an altar to yourself.

Leo
Gordon Cheung
River, Gordon Cheung

Six of Air – In preparation of your birth month the Muse of Simplicity would like you to hone aspects of your life down.  She challenges you with questions like – if you could only focus on one thing for next year what would it be?  Or what are you physically, mental or emotional carrying that no longer serves you?  Now is the time to let it go, so you can transition into this new birth year less encumbered, more focused and with ease.

Virgo
Gordon Cheung
Pearl of the Yangtze, Gordon Cheung

*Emperor – The Muse of Building has come to spend the next two weeks with you.  This muse challenges you to focus building, broadening, strengthening or finishing projects.  Think of these next two weeks full of kinetic energy that you can direct into anything and move it to the next level. The challenge is being truthful with who and why you are doing this building.  So watch if the building is only for status or greed this muse suggest you are going in the wrong direction.

 

Libra
Gordon Cheung
Merciful Clouds Protect All, Gordon Cheung

Two of Air – Decisions fill our lives on the daily but these next two weeks can feel muddy in which way to go.  In swoops the Muse of Choices to help you navigate these coming hazy days.  She suggests first and foremost do you need to make the decision right now?  Often this muse arises when you need more info before deciding.  Secondly, if you do need to decide now, she suggest following you heart instead of your mind.  What you think is logically will lead you astray with the energies around these two weeks.

Scorpio
Gordon Cheung
Pacific Century, Gordon Cheung

*Magician – The Muse of Experimentation has come to hang with you for the coming two weeks.  Usually, this energy comes when you need to try things out before you begin manifesting.  She reminds you that you have all the tools you need to work out solutions and play with ideas.  So think about playing with combinations or tweaking processes than manifesting a whole new makeover.

Sagittarius
Megalopolis, Gordon Cheung

*Strength – The Muse of Inner Strength comes when you need to work on your resolutions around some aspect of your life.  Maybe you are reinforcing your boundaries, or you made a promise that you haven’t stuck to.  This muse is not here to reprimand but to have you re-enforce why you had set up these regulations in the first place.  If your reasons for doing it have changed then change the resolve to match and if they have not now is the time to double down on your comment to yourself.

 

Capricorn
Gordon Cheung
Gordon Cheung

Body of Fire – The Muses would like you to spend your energy these next two weeks connecting and working with art and/or nature.  This energy often comes when you need to work with your creative and/or spiritual self.  Or when one feels stuck or has lost one’s zing.  By working with art or nature you re-connect with the aspect of awe.  And Awe helps us connect to the universe, curiosity and ardor.

 

Aquarius
Tears of Paradise, Gordon Cheung

Spirit of Water – The Muse of Fun is here to help you get out of your head.  This Muse reminds you to take the world, your work, your life less seriously.  Yes, aspects of life and humaning might not be all sunshine and roses.  But adding to the cynicism and negativity also doesn’t help.  So, these next two weeks work on your empathy with yourself and humanity.

 

Pisces
Augury of Xian, Gordon Cheung

*High Priestess – The Muse of Intuition would like you to hone your skill and possible your belief in your intuition.  She recommends trying this experiment.  What if you didn’t for the next two weeks, second guess yourself and just go with your gut.  So, every time you start a thought with what if or should I you just check in with your intuition.  Now she also reminds you that because she comes when you are most doubtful, she asks that you be patient to find out the outcomes of this experiment.  Intuition isn’t always an easy left or right but more of a meandering path full of information and wonder.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-cast for June 16-29, 2024

The artist this week Lorraine O’Grady.  So, I try to keep my opinion out of this tarotcast around the art (other than I pick them, so I like all of them), but O’Grady’s is one of my table of twelve. O’Grady plays with various genres like text, photo-installation, video and performance as a conceptual artist and cultural critic.  Her take on what art is and how to use it as a tool of critique as well as emotional expression is thought provoking and simultaneously joyous.

O’Grady often uses the diptych “or at least the diptych idea” to point out the “divisive and hierarchical “either/or” categories underpinning Western philosophy.”  She reframes it to “Both/And”.  This reframing metamorphizes exclusivity to inclusivity. Division to unity.   Hate to love.  And…

Your pondering:  Try shifting your Either/Or to O’Grady’s perspective of Both/And.

 

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Scorpio – follow your passion.  Then on Wednesday it moves into Sagittarius – get out and explore.    On Friday it moves into Capricorn as a full moon – ponder what needs to still be done since the new moon on June 6th.  On Monday June 24th it moves into Aquarius – think outside the box.  Wednesday it moves into Pisces – go with the flow.  And we finish the two weeks with the moon in Aries starting on Friday June 28th – great time to start a project or let off some steam.

Mercury moves into Cancer on Monday – great for discussing your emotions or being a caring ear for another. Also, Venus moves into Cancer – wanting us to center in on making a home homier.  Mars is in Taurus giving us the stamina to check off on our to-do lists.

Jupiter, the planet of abundance and growth, is in Gemini until June of 2025.   This aspect is here to help us work with opportunities to grow and succeed through intellectual, verbal, and written pursuits.  However, we must also watch its challenging aspects:   not following through, gossip, too much information and fickleness.   And lastly Saturn is in Pisces until February 2026 teaching us how to be more fluid and inclusive in our structures.

EXTRA

*** Signs with an * it is a big week for you.  Gemini/Cancer this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year.  And Sagittarius/Capricorn it is your halfway mark for your birth year, so if you need a Planetary Reading for a check in now is the time. And I have a tip jar if you want to leave a gratuity for the tarot & art-casts.

**** I am experimenting.   I have switched from using the older suits name (pentacles, cups, swords, and wands) to a more elemental way of reading them which is earth, water, air, and fire.  Also, I would like to leave the binary and feudal system of the RWS’s court cards.  So, the RWS old version is Page, Knight, Queen, and King is changing to Heart (pure embodiment of element), Body (moving the element), Spirit (living the element) and Mind (taking care of the element).

May light be on you, around you, and within you.

Nina

 

Aries
Lorraine O’Grady
Lorraine O’Grady, Body Is the Ground of My Experience

*Emperor – The Muse of Formation would like to add energy to whatever the focus is for the next two weeks.  She likes to help with any building process.  The challenges she poses: is what you are doing durable?  Does it sit in reality? Does it help more than you?   She pushes you to make your dreams reality, therefore making your reality even more expansive and improved not only for you but for the world at large.

 

Taurus
Lorraine O’Grady
Lorraine O’Grady, Cutting Out the New York Times

Six of Air – During the next two weeks the Muse of Transitions is prompting you to change something in your life.  She asks:  what are the essentials in your life? She then proposes taking this time to strengthen your basics before you add the cherries on the top.   The key is that this alteration should make your life simpler and therefore produce more ease.

 

Gemini
Lorraine O’Grady, Miscegenated Family Album

Eight of Water – The energy for the next two weeks is focused on walking away from a emotional cycle you have been stuck in.  Maybe you are holding on to a grudge, self-doubt or even a relationship.  The Muse of Walking Away prompts you to examine your emotional baggage and dump what you no longer need.  A good exercise is going through your drawers and get rid of old clothes, plastic lids that have no bottoms, all that junk in your drawer…. to practice the feeling of lightening your load.

 

 

Cancer
Lorraine O’Grady, Jeanne and Charles

Four of Fire – The Muse of Home is the perfect segway into your birth month.  This muse challenges you to make your home more comfortable so when your birthday arrives you have a cozy, safe, warm, beautiful shell to hide in when you need to.  So, get those extra pillows, paint a room/wall that soothing blue, get a plant, put up your favorite photos…  She reminds you that it is the little things that make a house a home.

 

Leo
Lorraine O’Grady, The Fir Palm

Ace of Fire – Finally you are moving from looking at and planning for the future to stepping into it.  All aces herald new beginnings.  This particular energy the muses are pushing for you to use that amazing creativity you lions often are too bashful to show off.  They remind you to stop your perfectionism and revel in and take advantage of the uniqueness of imperfection.

 

Virgo
Lorraine O’Grady, Haiku Diptych

Ten of Fire – The Muse of Burdens is hanging with you these next two weeks prompting you not to take on too much.  Yes, you have some items that are your responsibility.  But you have also taken on some work that is not yours to carry/do.   This muse reminds you that if you take on others’ tasks you are setting up a codependent cycle and your housemates/colleagues will never learn they can do it alone.

 

Libra
Lorraine O’Grady
Lorraine O’Grady, Body Is the Ground of My Experience

Spirit of Fire – The Muse of Creativity would like you to spend these next two weeks diving into your own creativity.  Whether that is creating a garden, a poem, painting, singing or dancing.  This muse would like you to connect with your personal awe. As they say, “let the spirit move you.”

 

Scorpio
Lorraine O’Grady, Jeanne And Charles

Two of Cups – Relationships continue to be the theme for you in June.  Last week it was about collaboration and these next two weeks the muses would like you to pivot your focus on your closer relationships and the concept of balance and reciprocity. The Muse or Relationships would like you to work on diving deeper into the relationships that feel balanced.  Not only to create connection but their emotional cup needs refilling as much as yours.  Find time these next to weeks to clink glasses with the ones you love, that love you back.

 

Sagittarius
Lorraine O’Grady, Miscegenated Family Album

*Death – The Muse of Organic Change comes when you need to let something go to make room to let something grow.  This muse asks, what you are holding onto that no longer serves you or is stagnate?   The challenge is seeing this item/person/project/idea as a form of composting.  That the energy you gain from this release will be utilized by the things you want to flourish in your life.

 

Capricorn
Lorraine O’Grady, Art is…

Heart of Water – The Muse of Effervesce would like you to spend these next two weeks reconnecting with play, joy, exploration without goals.  She asks you to do this “exercise” to help you reconnect with your flow.  By letting go of the ambitions and the outcomes you allow your imagination, emotions and intuition to be the lead instead of your logical mind.

 

Aquarius
Lorraine O’Grady, Lilith

Nine of Fire – The Muse of Preparation is hanging out with you all these next two weeks to keep you grounded.  So, she suggests things like:  pack your lunch or a snack when you go out. Fill your water bottle.  Check the weather before leaving.  Make sure you have gas in the car or consider how crowded your mode of travel might be.  Make sure you don’t leave without your keys or phone. To basically work on being more grounded and prepared for each day or project. Because your sign’s typical go with the flow way of working will not help you navigate the more bumper aspects of the coming weeks.

 

Pisces
Lorraine O’Grady, Art is…

Spirit of Water – The Muse of Fun is here to get you to lighten up and love up.  This Muse reminds you to take the world, your work, your life less seriously.  Yes, aspects of life and humaning might not be all sunshine and roses.  But adding to the cynicism and negativity also doesn’t help.  Mostly, because you fish have experienced the world through your very sensitive heart, you understand the pain.  So, these next two weeks be the lover not the fighter.  Your song for this time: “All you need is Love”.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-cast for June 2-15, 2024

Kibibi Ajanku, Indigo Magic

The artist this week is Kibibi Ajanku @kibibiajanku . Her work ranges from visual to performing arts.  But the focus here is her fiber art with a specialty in organic indigo.  Creating indigo pigment is an ancient process dating back to at least 6,000 years, according to fabric artifact  discovered in Peru.  Many countries and civilizations from Mesopotamia, West Africa, India, Iran and Mesoamerica, have been using indigo dye.  Indigo dye is created through the process of turning leaves from the Indigofera plant into powder, boiling it down to a rich liquid, and then fermenting the dye to give it its distinct blue color.  Making organic indigo is an arduous process and this skill set is handed down through the generations.  And Kibibi is one of those founts. (click here to see her classes)

Your pondering for this week:  Kibibi said “I believe that the past is an excellent teacher. Until we face the journey of the past, we cannot clearly understand the present, and we are uninformed about the future.”  I think we are in another moment in history where we are seeing a repetition of the past.  Is it because we do not truly understand it or haven’t taken the time to see the past as our teacher?  Shouldn’t our goal be to bring forth the lessons learned, to move forward with more grace, to evolve?

Cite: voyagebaltimore.com

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Taurus, you have the energy to make things grow.  Then on Wednesday the moon is in Gemini – the exchange of knowledge is highlighted.  Friday the moon moves into Cancer- self-care is your top priority for the weekend.  On Sunday the 9th it moves into Leo – start the week focusing on aspects that help you and others shine.  Then on Wednesday June 12th the moon moves into Virgo – great for organizing and clearing off your desk or to-do lists.  And then it moves into Libra on Friday the 14th – spending time with friends and family this weekend.

Mercury moves into Gemini, it’s home planet – this is a great for communication and knowledge exchange in all its forms.  Just be careful not to judge too quickly. Also, Venus is in Gemini – having us work on how to create harmony through communication also a great time for delving into the arts and how your environment expresses who you are.   Mars is the last space-body to hang in Aries, so until June 9th it gives its energy to propel beginnings. Then Mars moves into Taurus, so we can maintain the pace and focus on what we need to do to complete our actions.

And then Jupiter, the planet of abundance and growth, is now in Gemini for a year.   This aspect is here to help us work with opportunities to grow and succeed through intellectual, verbal, and written pursuits.  However, we must also watch its challenging aspects:   not following through, gossip, too much information and fickleness.

EXTRA

*** Signs with an * it is a big week for you.  Gemini this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year.  And Sagittarius it is your halfway mark for your birth year, so if you need a Planetary Reading for a check in now is the time. And I have a tip jar if you want to leave a gratuity for the weekly forecasts.

**** I am experimenting.   I have switched from using the older suits name (pentacles, cups, swords, and wands) to a more elemental way of reading them which is earth, water, air, and fire.  Also, I would like to leave the binary and feudal system of the RWS’s court cards.  So, the RWS old version is Page, Knight, Queen, and King is changing to Heart (pure embodiment of element), Body (moving the element), Spirit (living the element) and Mind (taking care of the element).

May light be on you, around you, and within you.

Nina

 

Aries
Kibibi Ajanku, Azur

Heart of Fire – The last two weeks the Muse of Self-Motivation wanted you to get your bearings and then get moving.  These next two weeks the Muse of Spark would like you to utilize your imagination to innovate situations and their solutions.  They ask how you can make these time a bit more exciting, expansive, and original – truer to your nature or your soul’s calling rather than societies’ at large.

Taurus
Kibibi Ajanku, Sunshine Over the Baobab

Six of Fire – The next two weeks are full of accolades and celebrations.  The Muse of Skirmishes and Small Successes prompts you to acknowledge and honor them.  The challenge is working with and celebrating these mini feats instead of only seeing the larger project, conflicts or challenges to come.  As Helen Keller said, “I long to accomplish a great and noble task; but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.”

Gemini
Kibibi Ajanku, River Dancers

Ace of Air – The energy for the next two weeks is focused on new ways of thought or new knowledge.  It makes sense with the Sun, Mercury and Venus all in your sign that communication and knowledge are calling on you to participate.  During this time, you need to be in top form when it comes to interactions and quests for the truth.  And keep your ears and mind open to new thoughts, so you can work on your own paradigms.

Cancerian
Kibibi Ajanku, Looking Out

Spirit of Air – The Muse of Perceptivity will be working with you these next two weeks.  She prompts you to pay attention to the details.  With the Sun and two planets in Gemini the area most likely highlighted will be in conversing or knowledge exchange.  So go deeper than generalities, ask questions, follow the subtext of convos, and read the fine print.  By doing so you will not only see “the devil in the details”, the needle in the haystack, but you can also find the treasure in the trove.

Leo
Kibibi Ajanku, Ibeji

Two of Fire – Ok so this happened to Aquarians last 3 readings.  You got the same card for three consecutive pulls.  (Statistically 1/72 to the third or approximately one in 23 million chance.)  So here we go again…  The Muse of Future is continuing to hang with you for two more weeks to chat about expanding your horizons.  Maybe the last 4 weeks you didn’t push out your boundaries enough. You stayed in your comfort zone.  And/or maybe you need more time exploring this expansion.  So, keep pushing the envelope, especially around your creative self.  The muses are pushing you to increase your scope deeper, farther and wider.

Virgo
Kibibi Ajanku, In the Garden

Three of Water – The Muse of Friendship is here to remind you to fortify your friendships.  Maybe you haven’t been able to fit in some fun hangs with your buddies.  She challenges you to not only fill other’s emotional cups but also to also let them fill yours.  So, call that friend you haven’t heard from in a while, vent to your bestie, or go do something fun where you both can let off some steam and enjoy each other’s banter and vibe.

 

Libra
Kibibi Ajanku, Cabaret Remix

Mind of Fire – The Muse of Vibrancy is asking you to take the lead these next two weeks.  Yes, many of you like to work behind the scenes or step-up then fade into the background.  But during these next two weeks the muses are urging you to take the forefront, make the final decisions, and/or speak up.  Yes, you all can often see all the sides of a problem and the variety of solutions, but during this time you are challenged to put your ideas first.

Scorpio
Kibibi Ajanku, Royal Blues

Three of Earth – The Muse of Collaboration comes when you need to ask for help to solve a problem, develop a better idea, or just need a helping hand.   The challenge is in the asking.  Whether it is worrying about obligation or the vulnerability of needing help, the muses prompt you to take that chance.  Doing so will produce more ease in the long run.  As they say two heads are better than one, and the muses add – three heads and six hands are even better.

 

Sagittarius
Kibibi Ajanku, Summer in the City

Ten of Earth – The Muse of Plenty is hanging with you to have you work on the concept “there is enough”.  Tens usually indicate a summation, success or ending.  Finishing what needs to be finished and finding moments to enjoy.  The challenge with this energy is taking advantage of and finding enjoyment of this ending before jumping into a new project.  Her arrival is also an augury that you deserve abundance not because you have worked hard for it, suffered for it or because of a sense of worthy or unworthiness is tied to it, but just as a gift for existing.

 

Capricorn

Body of Air – The Muse of Risk comes to warn you not to run into situations without some thoughtfulness or inquiry.  The next two weeks the muses would like you to slow down and take your time especially around decisions and in your participation in conversations.  This is a period to stop, look, and listen before rushing forward.

 

Aquarius
Kibibi Ajanku, River Dancers

Spirit of Water – The Muse of Flow challenges you to go with the flow for the next two weeks.  Yes, most people like a good plan but the muses would like you to not over plan during this time.   See what comes up and feel what you would like to do in that moment and then do it.   You will find that the more you do what feels right the more you get done.

 

Pisces
Kibibi Ajanku, Shango’s Daughter

Seven of Fire – The Muse of Vantage is challenging you these next two weeks to stand up for yourself and/or your ideals.  This muse often comes when you need to strengthen or follow through on your boundaries.  She isn’t suggesting you make this into a war or there is no room for some compromise; but she is challenging you to firmly state the why behind your stance.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-cast for May 19-June 1, 2024

fox
Baby red fox Vulpes vulpes

Happy Birth-month Gemini!

The artist this week is Mother Nature again. Yes, I highlighted her work a month ago but….

Every morning, I take a walk around our acre and see what is new in the yard.  It is spring here.  The leaves are my favorite color, lime green and the flowers are popping.

As I walk, I watch where my mom’s dog, Patsy, nose points.  I wonder what animal traces she is smelling that have traversed across the lawn overnight. This past Monday Patsy was interested in a very specific spot in the woods.  And as I searched the landscape for the typical chipmunks or squirrels out popped 3 little baby fox heads!  As you all may know, one of my last names is Fox, hence the fox and the tarot.  Anyway, this event has made my week, so I thought I would share.

The pic above is one of the babies, a red fox, vulpes vulpes. Red foxes are the most common of the 27 fox species in the world.  “Foxes are small-to-medium-sized omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull; upright, triangular ears; a pointed, slightly upturned snout; and a long, bushy tail (“brush”).

Twelve species belong to the monophyletic “true fox” group of genus Vulpes. Approximately another 25 current or extinct species are always or sometimes called foxes; these foxes are either part of the paraphyletic group of the South American foxes, or of the outlying group, which consists of the bat-eared fox, gray fox, and island fox.”[1]

In the mythology and literature that surround foxes, they are often tricksters.  I, however, favor the Japanese tales of the kitsune.  Stories that portrays them as messengers of the gods and good luck.

Your pondering for this week:  What’s your favorite animal and why?

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Libra – harmony and balance are the focus. On Tuesday the moon moves into Scorpio – follow your passion.  Then on Thursday it moves into Sagittarius – get out and explore.    On Sunday May 26th the moon moves into Capricorn – great for prepping for the work week.  On Tuesday May 28th it moves into Aquarius helping us think outside the box.  And we finish the two weeks with the moon in Pisces starting on May 30th Thursday – wanting us to go with the flow.

Mercury moves into Taurus to hang with Venus so communication will be smoother.  Venus in Taurus until May 23rd – prompting us to focus on grounding and how we love. Then Venus moves into Gemini, having us work on how to create harmony through communication also a great time for delving into the arts and how your environment speaks or doesn’t about who you are.   Mars is the last space body to hang in Aries, so until June 9th giving energy to propel beginnings.

And then Jupiter, the planet of abundance and growth, moves into Gemini on May 26th for a year.   To help us work on opportunities to grow and succeed through intellectual, verbal, and written pursuits.  However, we must also watch its challenging aspects:   not following through, gossip, too much information and fickleness.

 

EXTRA

*** Signs with an * it is a big week for you.  Gemini this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year.  And Sagittarius it is your halfway mark for your birth year, so if you need a Planetary Reading for a check in now is the time. And I have a tip jar if you want to leave a gratuity for the weekly forecasts.

**** I am experimenting.   I have switched from using the older suits name (pentacles, cups, swords, and wands) to a more elemental way of reading them which is earth, water, air, and fire.  Also, I would like to leave the binary and feudal system of the RWS’s court cards.  So, the RWS old version is Page, Knight, Queen, and King is changing to Heart (pure embodiment of element), Body (moving the element), Spirit (living the element) and Mind (taking care of the element).

May light be on you, around you, and within you.

Nina

 

Aries
fox
Ruppell’s fox- Vulpes rueppelli

*Chariot – The Muse of Self-Motivation is prompting you this week to get your bearings and then get moving.  Spring has sprung and you are in the beginning of a new birth year.  This energy is giving you a green light to move forward, but your work for the next two weeks is:  do you have a clear view of your goals?  This muse asks where you want to be this time next year?  Once you have that destination in mind use this time to push yourself or project forward.  The universe will give you the gas, but you need the map and the will, to push the pedal to the metal.

 

Taurus
Fox
Kit fox-Vulpes macrotis

Ace of Fire – Your second ace.  All aces represent new beginnings.  The last two weeks this was about revamping old constructs.  Now the muses want you to play and experiment with your creativity.   They ask when was the last time you played a musical instrument, drew, tinkered?  The muses are wanting you to revamp not only your thought processes around creativity but also how you create.  And the best way is to just play with ideas, preferable using the arts and/or nature.  Think creating seed bombs, en plein air/painting outside, playing and recording  music under a bridge or in your bathroom, collage the last four pictures on your phone, etc…..

 

Gemini
Fox
Tibetan fox- Vulpes ferrilata

Nine of Earth – The Muse of Enjoyment would like you to enjoy these next two weeks.  Enjoyment is defined as the “state or process of taking pleasure in something.”  Pleasure is “a feeling of happy satisfaction.”  And satisfaction is the “fulfillment of one’s wishes, expectations, or needs, or the pleasure derived from this.”  So, this muse is wanting you to dive into the feeling of fulfilling a wish, expectations, or need.  And if it doesn’t satisfy you in some way, she asks why are you doing it?

 

 

Cancer
Fox
Fennec Fox Vulpes zerda

Eight of Earth – The Muse of Skills would like to remind you that you have talents.  And in these net two weeks those competences are going to be put to the test.  This period isn’t hard because you are a pro and already have all the skills you need to tackle whatever comes up.  You got this.  She is just here to remind you of two isms:  Quality over quantity and work smarter not harder.

 

Leo
Cape Fox Vulpes chama

Two of Fire – What!?  The Muse of Future is continuing to hang with you for the rest of the month to chat about expanding your horizons.  Maybe the last two weeks you didn’t push out your boundaries enough. You stayed in your comfort zone.  Or maybe you need more time doing it.  So, keep pushing the envelope, especially around your creative self.  The muses are pushing you to expand further.

 

Virgo
Pale Fox Vulpes pallida

Mind of Fire – The last two weeks the Muse of Taming wanted you to work with your inner chaos.  Now the Muse of Creative Perfectionism has come to help you focus.  Now Creative Perfectionism is not perfectionism so much as being, seeing and utilizing the perfectly imperfect.  She would like you to work with imperfection in the most creative way.  So instead of throwing something out think repurpose, reuse, recycle instead.

 

Libra
Blandfords fox Vulpes cana

*Hermit – The Muse of Perspective advises that these next two weeks you pull back from situations to get a better perspective on the issues.   This muse usually comes when you are too close or too involved in a situation to see a truth or a solution.  So, for the next two weeks engage less and observe more before you jump back into the fray.

 

Scorpio
Artic Fox Vulpes lagopus

*Star – The Muse of Healing comes when it is a perfect time to take a dive deep into a healing practice.  This could be as simple as starting or increasing your meditation time or as complex as beginning the path of healing an old trauma.  The key is to elevate and innovate your self-care practices so you can alleviate the part of you that is still carry this hurt.

 

Sagittarius
Bengal Fox-Vulpes bengalensis

Three of Air – The Muse of Deep Wounds comes when some event opens an old wound.  The muse prompts you not to relive the trauma, but to use this situation as a reminder that there is still a part of you that needs to heal.  The challenge is that the reminder comes in threes or there are three aspects that still need to be healed. The key is focusing on the healing not the hurting.

 

Capricorn
Swift-fox-vulpes velox

Ten of Earth – The Muse of Plenty is hanging with you these next two weeks to have you work on the concept “there is enough”.  Tens usually indicate a summation, success or ending.  The challenge with this energy is taking advantage and finding enjoyment of this ending or success before jumping into a new project.  She also is a harbinger that you deserve abundance not because you have worked hard for it, suffered for it or because of a sense of worthy or unworthiness, but just as a gift for existing.

 

Aquarius
Gray Fox-Urocyon-cinereoargenteus

Mind of Earth – The last two weeks the Muse of Building came to help you build part of your life bigger and bolder.  Now the little brother of that energy the Muse of Making has come to continue the project.  This is a great energy for getting things done.  So, get your to-do lists, it is time to make things happen.

 

Pisces
Corsac Fox Vulpes corsac

Heart of Earth – Interesting you got the Muse of Learning again.  So, either you didn’t get to the recommended skill building or you need more time to hone this new skill.  So as a reminder, let’s go over this again.   This Muse shows up when upping your game and adding to your skill set will be required in the near future.  This education doesn’t have to be just about work.  You can be about learning to fix something around the house or take a class in a subject you have been interested in.  She does, however, remind you that following your heart is as important as following the green.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-cast for May 5 – 18, 2024

Hiba Schahbaz

The artist this week is Hiba Schahbaz @hibaschahbaz.  Schahbaz is a painter who works in miniature using black tea and water-based pigments to large scale oil on linen.  Her content are portraits and more often women’s bodies especially her own.  Her paintings are meant to establish a safe space for herself and women to “tell their stories and reclaim their history.”

Circles are important in Shahbaz’s work. In her words: “I’ve always been drawn to the magic of circles and incorporated them in different ways in my paintings.  I’ve noticed them through my spiritual studies, appearing in old Hindu diagrams about time, ancient Egyptian zodiacs, The Dharmachakra in Buddhism, the shape of the sun and the moon which have been revered since the beginning of time.  The circle brings me a feeling of continuity, peace, and connection.”

Your pondering

The circle is defined as “a round plane figure whose boundary consists of points equidistant from a fixed point, a group of people with shared professions, interests, or acquaintances. Or as a verb move all the way around (someone or something), especially more than once.” I’ve been pondering a lot about circles lately.  The circle of Life, time, the seasons, my circle of friends.  They all hold paradoxes.  Life, time, and the seasons are simultaneously circular and linear.  Where my circle of friends expands and contracts.  But the beauty of using circle as verb is something I have been drawn to most of my life.  To know something more deeply and intimately I move around it “especially more than once.”  What do you circle?

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Aries – perfect for starting a project or an idea you have left dormant. On Tuesday the moon moves into Taurus, you have the energy to make things grow.  Then on Thursday the moon is in Gemini – a great time to correspond and/or learn something new.  Saturday, the 11th, the moon moves into Cancer- self-care is your top priority for the weekend.  On Monday the 13th it moves into Leo – your time to shine.  Then on Thursday May 16th the moon moves into Virgo, a good time to finish up projects or clean up dangling participles.  And then it moves into Libra on Saturday the 18th – spending time with friends and family.

Mercury is in Aries until May 15th giving us a crash course in learning to communicate in a non-reactive way.  Mars has joined Mercury pushing us into action around how we communicate. However, until May 15th this push can be dangerous.  We need to be careful that our actions follow our words.   And that we curb being judgmental and harsh in our communication. In our words watch your tongue.  And then Mercury moves into Taurus to hang with Venus so hopefully communication will be smoother.  Venus in Taurus is in its home sign – prompting us to focus on grounding and how we love.

EXTRA

*** Signs with an * it is a big week for you.  Taurus this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year.  And Scorpio it is your halfway mark for your birth year, so if you need a Planetary Reading for a check in now is the time. And I have a tip jar if you want to leave a gratuity for the weekly forecasts.

**** I am experimenting.   I have switched from using the older suits name (pentacles, cups, swords, and wands) to a more elemental way of reading them which is earth, water, air, and fire.  Also, I would like to leave the binary and feudal system of the RWS’s court cards.  So, the RWS old version is Page, Knight, Queen, and King is changing to Heart (pure embodiment of element), Body (moving the element), Spirit (living the element) and Mind (taking care of the element).

May light be on you, around you, and within you.

Nina

 
Aries
Hiba Schahbaz
Hiba Schahbaz

Two of Air – Decisions, decisions decisions, are in the air for the new two weeks.  We make decisions all the time, but the Muse of Choices comes when we need to follow our intuition instead of logic while making them.  The crux of this period is when you find yourself having a hard time choosing.  That indecisiveness is not about the choices but in believing you know what’s best.  So, take off the proverbial blindfold and follow your gut.

Taurus
Hiba Schahbaz

Ace of Air – All aces represent new beginnings, and this energy is about new ways of thought.  The muses advise to use this energy for the next two weeks, or for many of you, this is a yearlong work assignment.  They want you to work on learning new ideas while also questioning and revamping old constructs. So, in essence the muses are asking you to lean into your superpower of patience instead of willfulness.

Gemini
Hiba Schahbaz
Hiba Schahbaz

Five of Water – The Muse of Optimism would like you for the next two weeks to see the metaphorical glass half full.  Yes, there is disappointment, suffering and sorrow in the world, especially now.  However, hope, gratitude and simply pleasures also exist alongside them. The latter have the potential to carry us farther forward than anger and grief.  So, find the positive, what resonates, or what is workable, and leave the negativity and rubbish behind.

Cancerian
Hiba Schahbaz

Eight of Water – The Muse of Letting Go is with you for the next two weeks.  She often comes when you are hanging on to things that no longer serve you.  This Muse advises you to investigate your emotions and your emotional connections. When you are feeling unconnected or feel drained when dealing, it is a sign for something to shift.  This can be as simple as cleaning out your closet with clothes that no longer express who you are.  Or as complex as walking away from a relationship or emotional habits that you have used to deal in the past.  This period is like a reboot of the heart.

Leo
Hiba Schahbaz

Two of Fire – The Muse of Future is hanging with you these next two weeks to chat about expanding your horizons.  She advises to push out your boundaries just a bit – get a bit uncomfortable. Whether that is going to a party alone, reading a book outside your preferred genre, applying for that dream job, taking a class in something you are interested in but haven’t given yourself the time. The muses would like you to expand.

Virgo
Hiba Schahbaz

*Strength – The Muse of Taming wants you to work with your inner chaos just a bit these next two weeks.  Now this can look as simple as cleaning out your junk drawer or cleaning out your inbox.  Or as complex as taking steps to eat healthier, take an exercise class to work on your core muscles/lower back, going to therapy.  You all are known as the organizers of the zodiac but there is always a little of a mess in some corner of your life.  Now is the time to clean it up.

 

Libra
Hiba Schahbaz

Eight of Fire – The Muse of Messages is visiting these next two weeks.  She comes to herald that you will be bombarded with news and information.  The key is deciphering what is important and then to act on it.  The advice is to look for outlier information or signs/themes that keep repeating.  Eyes and ears open.

Scorpio
Hiba Schahbaz
Hiba Schahbaz

Mind of Fire – The Muse of Vibrance is with you for the next two weeks to encourage you to increase your shine.  She wants you to get to know your superpowers and then to use them for good.  Time to warm up “the masses” with your fire.  Save the day with your smile.  Bend a loving ear to a stranger.  You know, be that amazing being that you are.

 

Sagittarius
Hiba Schahbaz

Six of Water – The Muse of History comes when something in your past becomes useful for your future.  Maybe you pull out old photos and reconnect with a friend, go into the attic to find your next art project, or get one of your parents or siblings to reminisce and use the story for your next novel.  Or possibly an experience now resonates with an event that happened back in the day, but now you can brush off the trauma and deal.

 

Capricorn
Hiba Schahbaz
Hiba Schahbaz

*Empress – The Muse of Creativity is hanging with you for the next two weeks.  She would like you to use your senses in creating something.  Maybe you create a lavish dinner for friends, learn how to sculpt, plant a garden, make music, or redecorate a part of your home that makes it cozy or more sensual.  This is a great energy to work with for the Taurus season.  She does remind your creative process should also have an element of personal satisfaction and enjoyment.  The maker makes for others or their needs – a creator creates for joy.

 

Aquarius
Hiba Schahbaz

*Emperor – Whoop finally you are on the move.  The Muse of Building has come to help you build part of your life bigger and bolder.  These next two weeks use this energy to work on projects already in play.  This push is here to help you focus and take a project to the next level.  Now the challenge part for airy signs is focusing on one thing.  So, the muses concede that you can hone down your list to 2-3 items and you bounce back and forth with them.

 

Pisces
Hiba Schahbaz

Heart of Earth – The Muse of Learning advises to spend these next two weeks learning or honing a new skill.  This Muse shows up when upping your game and adding to your skill set will be required soon.  This education doesn’t have to be just about work.  You can learn to fix something around the house or take a class in a subject you have been interested in.  She does however remind you that following your heart is as important as following the green.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-cast for April 21 – May 4, 2024

nature photography
Amet Eshel Nubian Ibex

Happy birth month Taurus!

The artists this week are the winners of the World Nature Photography Awards.  Every year around Earth Day I highlight nature photography awards winners.  In the past the only way for people to see animals and plants from other places was museums and illustrations.  Now with photography we can get a literal birds-eye view of our world.   And the more we can see the world the more we can understand it and then protect it.  As Chief Dan George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation said: “If you talk to the animals, they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them, you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys.” So go out, get close to the flora and fauna and do some of your own nature photography.

Your pondering for this week:  “We must protect the forests for our children, grandchildren, and children yet to be born. We must protect the forests for those who can’t speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, fish, and trees.”- Qwatsinas  (Hereditary Chief Edward Moody), Nuxalk Nation.  What do you or can you pledge to do this year to help care for Mother Nature?

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Libra – harmony and balance are the focus. On Wednesday the moon moves into Scorpio – follow your passion.  Then on Friday it moves into Sagittarius – get out, explore, and let fun be the focus.    On Sunday April 28th the moon moves into Capricorn – great for prepping for the work week.  On Wednesday May 1st it moves into Aquarius helping us think outside the box.  And we finish the two weeks with the moon in Pisces starting on Friday – wanting us to go with the flow.

Mercury is in Aries until May 15th giving us a crash course in learning to say what we need in a non-reactive way and working on making sure our actions follow our words.  And we finish with it in retrograde April 25th.  Venus stays with Mercury until April 29th during this teachable moment, giving us more grace when we are attempting to better our communication skills. Then Venus moves into Taurus, it’s home sign prompting us to focus on grounding and how we love.

Mars is still in Pisces with Saturn until April 30th.   And they are prompting us to act on being adaptable, especially in our day-to-day life.  Then Mars will join Mercury pushing us into action around how we communicate. However, from April 30th to May 15th this push can be dangerous.  We need to be careful that our actions follow our words.   And that we can curb being judgmental and harshness in our communication. In our words watch your tongue.

EXTRA

*** Signs with an * it is a big week for you.  Taurus this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year.  And Scorpio it is your halfway mark for your birth year, so if you need a Planetary Reading for a check in now is the time. And I have a tip jar if you want to leave a gratuity for the weekly forecasts.

**** I am experimenting.   I have switched from using the older suits name (pentacles, cups, swords, and wands) to a more elemental way of reading them which is earth, water, air, and fire.  Also, I would like to leave the binary and feudal system of the RWS’s court cards.  So, the RWS old version is Page, Knight, Queen, and King is changing to Heart (pure embodiment of element), Body (moving the element), Spirit (living the element) and Mind (taking care of the element).

May light be on you, around you, and within you.

Nina

 

Aries
nature photography
Tracey Lund – Gannets

Nine of Air – To finish off your birth month the muses would like you to work with your worries for the coming year.  They suggest you write all of them out. Then vehemently cross off the ones you have no control over.  And with the rest, prioritize the list, and when Mercury goes direct on April 25th you can start working through them one by one.  With all these planets in your sign you need to focus slowing your mind down.

 

Taurus
nature photography
Miki Spitzer – Iceland glacier

*Death – The Muse of Organic Change would like you to spend the next two weeks doing some composting of ideas and/or projects that no longer work for you.  The challenge is seeing that what “use to work” still contributes to what you are trying to change.  In essence your past feeds your future.  So, if you deny or toss it away you can not use it as fuel for your potential growth.

 

Gemini
nature photography
Jouni Erola – Swan

Heart of Air – The Twin Muses of Inhaling and Exhaling are asking for the next two weeks to breath.  Now the challenge from these two is about the silence between the breaths.  By tunning into these breaks internally, you can tune into the subtle silences around you.   Listen to “the feel” of the story instead of the plot.  Read between the lines in a conversation.  Be curious, ask questions and deep listen to the answers.

 

Cancer
Bill Klipp Sally Light Foot Crabs

Three of Earth – The last two week the Muse of Building had you looking at adaptability in what you are developing.  These next two weeks the Muse of Collaboration would like you to focus on what you need or are lacking in skill and knowledge to further this project or idea. Then ask for help to fill in the gaps.  As they say 2 heads are better than 1, but 3 heads and 6 hands are even better, so expand your resources for intel and support.

 

Leo
nature photography
John Seager – Marine Iguana and Lava Lizard

Six of Earth – The Muse of Giving would like you to take part in an exchange of knowledge, love, or resources for the next two weeks.  By helping someone else, you begin to see that you are worthy of being helped yourself.  Giving goes both ways or it becomes self-centered. And remember the exchange does not have to be tit for tat or linear.  Be open to receiving from a stranger and that giving or getting does not have to be solely a physical exchange.

 

Virgo
nature photography
Richard Lee Cheetah

*Magician – The Muse of Manifestation is hanging with you for the next two weeks.  She usually shows up to help you in the process of creating.  Because either the universe doesn’t know what you want because you don’t, or there is an aspect(s) that needs to be tweaked. So, she suggests writing down what you are wanting to manifest or if you are in the process of creation what isn’t flowing.  The latter can look like you have missed a vital step in creation or a step in the process isn’t viable and needs an alternative.  This period is about experimentation.

 

Libra
nature photography
Chatree Lertsintanakorn – Thismia thaithongiana

Nine of Fire – The Muse of Resilience would like you to assess where you are at and what you need for the coming weeks.  She usually shows up when things are about to become busy.  So, she prompts to do things like fill up your freezer with readymade dinners and your pantry with on-the-go snacks.  Or do you have all the components for the coming projects?  Now is the time to chop wood and carry water to prep for the press of the coming months.

 

Scorpio
nature photography
Ivan Pedretti – Iceland

Six of Fire – The Muse of Celebration would like you to take these next two weeks and bask in all that you have accomplished since 2022.  She especially shows up for some of you that feel as if you have not accomplished anything.  Looking at the steps big or small that you have taken to get to the here and is pretty amazing.  Take a moment to reconnect and enjoy what you have created, for you need the rest and jubilation to ready you for the coming challenges before your next birthday.

 

Sagittarius
nature photography
Nicholas Remy Angler Fish

*Strength – The Muse of Poise has arrived on your doorstep to have you show off your best side.  Poise is defined as “a dignified, self-confident manner or bearing; composure; self-possession: to show poise in company. Synonyms: refinement, grace, polish, self-confidence, steadiness; stability: intellectual poise.” So Centaurians these next two weeks the muses advise to be less like the freewheeling half-horse and more like Chiron the great educator. Show your demurer side so people can see your true strength.

 

Capricorn
Rafal Dymarkowski -Frog

Ten of Water – The Muse of Happiness is visiting you these next two weeks, to remind you that all work and no play makes Jill/Jack a dull person.  This is not an ease card for you goats.  For most of you after “kid” hood forget how to frolic and kick up your hooves.  You have replaced it with the perpetual mountain climbing that you innately do.  So, your challenge for the next two weeks is to find some time to enjoy life too.

 

Aquarius
Giovanni Crisafulli – Jellyfish

Four of Air – Holy Moly it has happened again, the Muse of Rest is back. This is now 8 weeks of the muses begging you to relax.  Yes, you all took some time off because the big momma of rest the Muse of Healing backed-off.  But you still need to pay attention to your output in comparison to your input.  Health and rest are still your focus for another two weeks.  Some examples can be as simple as getting massage, taking a three-day weekend, having a designated daily unplug time, or scheduling more activities that lighten you up without tiring you out.   (And just the statistic it is a 3 out of a 10 million chance that I would pull the same card 4 times in a row.  So, if you can’t listen to the Woo listen to the math.)  Get some rest.

 

Pisces
Philip Hamilton – Humpback Whale

Four of Fire – The Muse of Happy Home would like you to focus on making your environments cozy.  You can concentrate on your home, neighborhood, workspace, and the ultimate goal of the world at large.  She asks what support you need to feel safe, secure, and stable in your environment(s).   So, examples are finding like-minded people to hang with, decorating a corner nook in your house that helps you relax or getting to know your way around a new part of the city.

Tarotcast

Tarot and Art-Cast for April 7-20, 2024

 

Sasha Gordon

The artist this week is Sasha Gordon.  Gordon is a portrait artist that directs the viewer to the study of self.  That we all change our perceptions of self, depending on mood as well as our surroundings.  In her words: “At first I said ‘Oh they’re not me. They’re just variations of myself.’ While I still think that’s true, they’re definitely all me. I don’t see myself as one person. I change depending on who I’m with or what the situation is or my mood and all these other aspects. Growing up, I guess I had a hard time seeing myself as a person. Painting myself so solidly is a way of making myself feel more permanent and present.”

Your pondering for this week:  We are humans, multi-faceted.  And if we acknowledge this, we can see that in others.  Hopefully brings us to a state of less judgment, more acceptance and ultimately the beauty of our chameleon-like moods and the complexity of humaning.  Where do you judge yourself and others? And what do you do to feel more permanent and present in yourself?

 

Solar System highlights

The moon begins in Aries – great time to start on a project or an idea you have left dormant. On Tuesday the moon moves into Taurus, you have the energy to make things grow.  Then on Friday the moon is in Gemini – time for hanging out with friends for the weekend.    Then Sunday, the 17th, the moon moves into Cancer- self-care is your top priority.  On Tuesday the 18th it moves into Leo – time to shine.  And on Friday April 19th the moon moves into Virgo, a great time for spring cleaning or working outdoors.

There is a solar eclipse on April 8th that can be seen across the US.  For all you Aries and Libra with sun signs and natal nodes watch/listen for downloads of information for the next couple of days.

Mercury is in Aries until May 15th giving us a crash course in learning to say what we need in a non-reactive way and working on making sure our actions follow our words.  Venus joins Mercury during this teachable moment giving us more grace when we are attempting to better our communication skills.

Mars is still in Pisces with Saturn.   And they are prompting us to act on being adaptable, especially in our day-to-day life.  This theme of adaptable action, beauty, and harmony lasts until the end of April.

 

EXTRA

*** Signs with an * it is a big week for you.  Aries this is a perfect time to get an Astrological Tarot Reading for your coming year.  And Libra it is your halfway mark for your birth year, so if you need a Planetary Reading for a check in now is the time. And I have a tip jar if you want to leave a gratuity for the weekly forecasts.

****And I am experimenting again.   I had switched from using the older suits name (pentacles, cups, swords, and wands) to a more elemental way of reading them which is earth, water, air, and fire.  Now I would like to leave the binary and feudal system of the RWS’s court cards.  So, the RWS old version is Page, Knight, Queen, and King is changing to Heart (pure embodiment of element), Body (moving the element), Spirit (living the element) and Mind (taking care of the element).

May light be on you, around you, and within you.

Nina

 

Aries
Sasha Gordon, Static

*Hermit – Where the last two weeks have been about Momentum this next two are about standing back and getting perspective. The muses had you set goals and maintain focus.  Now it is time to step back from your projects and your life a bit and see what is or is not working.  This energy aligns perfectly with Mercury being in retrograde. A time of reflect, reassess, and redo.   Take these next two weeks to tweak what needs to be modified.   This Muse of Perspective also suggests finding space in your schedule to just ponder and let ideas bubble up.

 

Taurus
Sasha Gordon, Drive Through

Seven of Fire – The Muse of Will is with you these next two weeks to help you establish and protect your boundaries and ideas.  The challenge with this energy is choosing when the fight is just, is it producing more harm than good, and/or understanding your alliances and antagonists so that you are expending energy efficiently.  She asks is this a fight or just a boundary dispute? While reminding that you can have boundaries without engaging in a full war; for some fights are not worth the effort and wars are too big to take on alone.

Gemini
Sasha Gordon, Campfire

Heart of Earth – The Muse of Experiencing comes when you need to gain new knowledge or skills.  The next two weeks work on filling the gaps in your knowledge or skill sets.  However, she prompts you to look outside your normal sphere of stimuli and do some critical thinking in a new environment or experience.  Whether that is finding a new space to do your work or reading a book outside your regular genera, she prods you to make new connections to old experiences.

 

Cancer
Sasha Gordon, Concert Mistress

*Emperor – The Muse of Building would like your next two weeks to focus on building something that already is in play in your life.  Use this retrograde period to reflect, reassess and redo especially in the considerations of the concept of durability as well as adaptability. She asks does this job, portfolio, or project have the components to last/work for the coming months or years?  Is it flexible to evolve with you? Are you building for a brighter future or just building to keep busy?

 

Leo
Sasha Gordon, Garden Troll

*Fool – The Muse of Spontaneity has arrived to shake up some of your restrictions and self-afflicted boundaries.  She is promoting you that for the next two weeks fill them with new tastes, thoughts, and experiences, which ultimately shake up your emotions.  You all as sign dive deep into experience, but like any cat that will jump an expanse without a thought and then be frightened by the watery aspects of life.  This Muse is asking you to just be in the new without judging it or comparing it to the old.  Clean slates my friends.

Virgo
Sasha Gordon, Echo

Seven of Water – The Muse of Dreams would like you to use this retrograde period to ponder, daydream and use your imagination.  This is an exercise of letting go of limits and letting your imagination run wild.  Yes, this is a hard assignment because this is an exploration of possibilities without the constructs of perfection, reality, boundaries, and structures you all like.  She reminds you that fantasy is a way to explore the unknown without leaving the house.  And maybe you can come home with a unicorn or dragon.

 

Libra
Sasha Gordon, In My Dreams I Dance For You

Heart of Air – The Muse of Lift would like you to focus on what lifts you and how you lift others?  For the next two weeks use this retrograde period to tweak the aspects that give you air to breath and energy to fly on.  These can be spending time with those that lift you spirits or going on solo flights of fancy.  Your goal, support and strengthen the areas of that are your “air beneath your wings.”

 

Scorpio
Sasha Gordon, Surrogate Self

*High Priestess – So these past weeks have had you step away and gain perspective on what system you need to refine and then come down from the proverbial mountain and put them in place.  Now the Muse of Meaning would like you to spend the next two weeks using your intuition making sure those systems align with your principles and support what brings meaning to your life.  If lost or unsure of where to start ask the muses for information, but remember they work in signs and synchronicities so eyes, ears, and mind open.

 

Sagittarius
Sasha Gordon, Muse

Ten of Air – These next two weeks the muses would like you to work on finalizing areas of your life that are like a burr under your saddle.  This can be a simple as oiling a squeaky door or as complex as letting a bad habit go.  The key is picking the things you know that you can accomplish solo.  For the coming weeks, people will try to force their agendas onto yours. Retrogrades with an eclipse is going to put some people in a spin and best you avoid the spin as much as possible.

 

Capricorn
Sasha Gordon, Hugger

*Empress – The Muse of Nurturing would like you to spend these next two weeks cultivating this practice into your daily life.  She asks how do you nurture yourself?  What project(s) would you like to develop in 10 months’ time?  Who requires your nurturing?  And then this muse reminds you not to rush answering these questions or the nurturing itself.  The practice of nurturing is also a practice of patience and subtlety.

 

Aquarius
Sasha Gordon, Mirror

*Star – Okay I don’t know what you guys have been doing but for the last 4 weeks you all got the card of rest and restoration, and this card is the Big Momma of the 4 of Air.  So maybe you didn’t really relax the last four weeks. Or maybe you just need more rest.  So, a stronger message from the Muse of Healing is asking you to sit your butt down.  This is a muse you work with your whole life.  Her areas are healing and hope in all its forms and challenges.  So hopefully these next two weeks you will do some things that rejuvenate your inner flame.  These can be as simple as getting massage and a salt scrub, planning a much-needed vacation, having a designated daily unplug time, or putting in time with activities that light you up without tiring you out.

 

Pisces
Sasha Gordon, Trimmings

Eight of Stone – The last two weeks the Muse of Building wanted you to focus on building something that already is in play in your life.  Now the Muse of Labor is telling you to focus on the steps to make that happen.  Remember this is a retrograde time so this is not a time for new projects but a time to get projects that are already in the works.  And remember this is a time when adaptability is vital to all that you build.  So, this retrograde period might be used for tweaking and incorporating the flexibility in said work.

 

intentions are the children of desire and the grandparents of destiny